Light responsive target apparatus



-Feb.2,1943. Q E HOOKER 4 2,310,084

LIGHT RESPONSIVE TARGET APPARATUS Filed Jan. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb 2, 1943. 5 HOOKER A 2,310,084

"LIGHT RESPONSIVE TARGET APPARATUS Filed Jan. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A flwiazafigji aoller; f 5 flarZjzffiraaijifgefmegim 2, 1943. D. E. HOOKER ETAL 2,310,084

I LIGHT RESPONS-IV-E TARGET APPARATUS Filed Jan. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet s f a mm azijieszfimzz ensim N Nl90ru. fi IQGMQCJBW Fb. 2, 1943. o. E. HOOKER EIAL. ,0

" LIGHT RESPOI'JSIVE TARGET APPARATUS Filed Jan. 10. 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 H I Iiveni'ors.

fiarzazdz'l fooi er 71 fireziamim Patented Feb. 2, 1943 LIGHT BESPONSIVE TARGET APPARATUS Donald E. Hooker, Charles T. Breiienstein, and

- Nels A. Nelson, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Baymond '1. Moloney, Chicago, Ill.

Applicatlonflanuary 10, 1940, Serial No. 313,274 "Claims. (Cl. 273-11)].1)

The invention relates to a light responsive target shooting apparatus. Such apparatus is usually coin released ior operation and usedior amusement purposes in testing aiming skill oi the player, who employs a light ray shooting gun or riile which is aimed ata moving target including a light responsive means such as a photo-electric cell.

In these games, it is usual to animate the target by having it move or change direction every time the photo-electric cell is hit. Thus the target, through the game playing cycle, always moves in the same manner and a marksman or niayer soon achieves such skill in hitting the target that interest is lost. It is desirable during the given length oi time the target operates to animate the target in one way ior part oi the given time oi operation and in another way ior the remainder 0! such time, and to use the gun trigger rather than the photo cell as a control in an electric circuit including the motor that drives the target, to achieve such results. In a more specific sense, to maintain and keep up player appeal, it is desirable to make the first ten shots result in a relatively complex target movement to make hits more diflicult to achieve, but ii all iirst ten shots, ior example, constitute accurate hits then to arrange the control in a manner thereaiter. to cause a relatively simple target motion to make succeeding hits easier oi.

accomplishment to enable the player to build up high scores in the nature oi a reward ior skilliul handling oi the iirst ten shots. It is also desirable to provide an improved target and motion thereior so coordinated with the light projecting gun as to achieve the best results.

The main object oi the invention is to provide an improvedtarget shooting apparatus utilizing light rays.

Another object is to provide a gun control means responsive to trigger action ior regulating the drive to and change oi motion ior the movable target. I

still another object is to provide such control wherein the first predetermined number oi shots, say ten, will cause the moving target to turn around on mains and ii all ten shots hit the photo-electric cell in the target, then to prevent such turning oi the target and cause it merely to move along a path, turn around at the end oi such path, and then come back to a centered positi n 01' rest and stay there just as the operation 0! the game ceases.

Another object is to provide a shut-oi! control to terminate operation oi the game after a cermm interval oi operation in case the first ten shots do not all achieve photo cell hits.

Another object oi the invention is to provide a carrier ior conveying a target back and iorth along a. certain path, but to permit turning thereoi, by novel means. on a vertical axis and automatic change oi direction oi the target.

Another object is to provide an improved electrical circuit ior a game oi this class, wherein the target operating means and gun are coordinated to produce novel results.

Other important objects will become apparent to those skilled in this art as the disclosure is more iully made.

Briefly, in one preierrediorm oi the invention these desirable objects may be achieved in providing a cabinet carrying a track or guideway along which a carrier is moved by a chain or belt driven irom an electric motor. The carrier supports a novel target which may simulate a bull and includes a photo-electric cell, there beingmeans in the motor circuit controlled by operation oi the light ray gun trigger to cause the target to turn around and go in an opposite direction every time a hit is achieved during a iirst cycle or predetermined number or succession oi shots. In case the first ten shots are nut all hits the game remains ,in operation ior a time controlled interval and ior the remaining shots available during the interval the target turns and reverses upon every hit. However, should all oi the first ten shots be hits, then diiierent control means becomes operative in the circuit to cause the target to move straight away to the end oi its guideway, then turn around and return to a stopped, centered position on the guideway just as the game ends upon opening oi the circuit, it being understood, that during such latter straight-away movement oi the target the player may rapidly shoot at the target as iast as he can pull the trigger to build up a large number oi hits ior scoring purposes.

The complete game organization thus embodies a light ray gun, the trigger oi which controls circuits to operate the target in one manner irom the motor during one cycle oi operation, and in a diiierent manner ior another cycle oi operation, the circuit being operative upon operation oi a coin release slide and running until automatically stopped. separate units are a trigger mechanism, step-up mechanism, release mechanism, target mechanism, reversing motor control, and a novel circuit, all as will later more iully appear.

In the drawings, showing one practicable form of the invention:

Figure 1 is a general perspective View of the target cabinet and remotely positionable light ray projecting gun and the connecting electric cable for circuit wires;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the target means placed in the cabinet with the front panel of the latter removed;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the same mechanism;

Figure 4 is an end'elevational view of the same mechanism, partly in section, taken along the line 44 of Figure 3, looking in the indicated direction;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, plan detail view taken from line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail plan view taken from line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view through the target carrier;

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the trigger control means of the gun;

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a step-up unit;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a motor control unit; and,

Figure 11 is a. drawing of an electrical wiring. diagram to show how all parts are coordinated.

Generally, the improved apparatus comprises a target containing cabinet l5 and a light ray shooting gun or rifle IS. The front wall of the cabinet may be hinged back to expose the parts shown in Figure 2, which parts will now be described. Se also Figures 3 and 4. Opposite end frame brackets or supports I! are rigidly mounted in the cabinet, said supports securely carrying in fixed position two, horizontal, spaced, parallel bars l8 which constitute a track or guide-way for a target carrier. This carrier, or carriage, appears at IS in channel section and is disposed vertically with its upper portion carrying two rigid, spaced brackets 20 each supporting a roller 2| turnable on a vertical axis to roll on the outside vertical'face of the upper guide bar l8. The lower portion of the carriage l9 carries two spaced rollers 22 turnable on a horizontal axis to roll on the top face of the lower guide bar l8. In this fashion the carriage is slidably positioned on the parallel guide bars I8 for to and fro movement.

Looking to Figure 7 it will be seen that extending upwardly through the channel flanges of the carriage I9 is a tube or pipe 23 securely anchored therein and extending well thereabove. Around this tube the lower carriage flange supports a bearing 24 for journaling a quill shaft.

25 surrounding the tube 23, said latter shaft having a portion of somewhat largerdiameter disposed well above the carrier l9 and formed to carry a U-shaped holder 26 for a pair of opposite alined lenses 21. The stationary tube 23 extends up into said holder where it carries an appropriate socket and support 28 for a photoelectric cell or lamp 29. Opposite parts of the U-bracket or holder 21 carry opposite or respective sides of a target element, which in this instance simulates a bull 30, the lenses 2! being respectively exposed on its opposite sides and registering with the photo-electric cell 29. A cable of two conductor wires 3| leads from the lamp 29 to an amplifier unit 32 (see Figure 11) suitably located within the cabinet l5. This cable 3lis of suflicient length to provide necessary slack when the carrier l9 moves from one end to the other of the track or guide structure I8. The bull 30, and holder 26 turn as a unit with the shaft 25, whereas the inner shaft or tube 23 and the photo-cell 29 carried thereon do not turn, the whole structure of bull and lamp, however, moving translationally as a unit with the travel of the carriage l9. The means for moving this carriage unit along the track guide-way will now be described.

Above the top flange of the carriage [9 the turnable shaft 25 has fast thereon a gear 33, said gear being in mesh with a larger gear 34 fast on a vertical shaft 35 turnably carried in the upper and lower flanges of the carriage I9. Also made fast to said shaft 35, between its ends, is a laterally disposed lever 36 which is passed through a large opening 31 to the rear side of the carriage where the lever is universally connected by a gimbal joint 38 to a link 39. This link 39 at its opposite end is loosely and pivotally connected by a pin 40 to the upper run of a roller chain 4!. This chain is endless and at its left hand end is trained around an, idler sprocket wheel 42 journaled in an end bracket 43 on an end support l1, while the other or right hand end of th chain is trained around a drive sprocket wheel 44 carried by a shaft 45 journaled in brackets 46 supported by a shelf 41. The shaft 45 has fast thereon a large worm gear 48 meshing a small worm gear 49 on the shaft 50 of an electric motor 5| mounted on the shelf 41. The motor 5| is reversible and drives in either direction.

As viewed in Figures 2 and 3 it may be assumed the upper run of the chain 4| is being driven to the left. By means of the pull transmitted from the link 39, through lever 36 and shaft 35 the carriage I9 is pulled to the left along its guide tracks l8. When the direction of movement of the drive chain is reversed, that is to the right, or if the pivotal connection 40 runs over the left hand sprocket wheel 42, it follows that the link 39 will then exert a pushing force on the carriage l9 and push it to the right along the guide tracks l8. Such pushing force, by link 39 will swing the lever 36 clockwise and turn the shaft 35 and its gear 34 which in turn will rotate the gear 33 causing the shaft 25, lens support 26 and the target image 30 to rotate counterclockwise. This turning movement of the shaft 25 is limited in opposite directions by a stop member 52 fast on and turnable with the shaft 25 above the gear 33 in a position to abut a yieldable shock absorbing abutment 53 mounted on the top flange of the carriage l9. With the link 39 exerting a pushing force the carriage l9 will then move to the right.

As seen in Figures 2, 3 and 11 the carriage I 9 carries a rider or shoe 54 having opposite upturned ends adapted to ride over insulated wheels carried on a center, blade contact switch 55, a left hand similar switch 55 and a right hand similar switch 55. These switches are labeled 55C (center); 55R (right) and 55L (left). Each of these three switches is closed except when opened by the shoe 54 and all are mounted in an insulated manner on the rear face of the lower rail bar I8, as shown.

The gun l6 embodies a novel trigger mechanism for operating certain switches to control the circuit shown in Figure 11 and while such trigger mechanism per se is described and claimed in copending Breitenstein application Serial No. 313,273, filed .January 10, 1940, it will, nevertheless, to a proper understanding of the present disclosure, be necessary briefly to describe said trigger mechanism herein.

Referring to Figure 8 this trigger mechanism embodies a frame 58 having a wall 51, carrying a finger trigger 58 to be pulled against spring pressure. Pivotally connected to the upper end of the trigger is a longitudinal link 58 having a long slot 88 in its forward end. A bell crank lever BI is pivoted at 52 to the wall 51 and carries a pin 88 at its upper end passed through the rear end of the slot 68. The forwardly extending arm of the bell crank 8| has its free end formed with a cut away step 84 and therebelow with a stop tail 85. A spring 68 holds a vertical latch lever 81 against the bell crank 8|, as shown, said lever having its lower end bent to be positioned over the tail 85 and against the stepped end of the bell crank arm. The latch lever 51 is pivoted by a pin 88 to the frame 51 and at its upper end carries a headed pin 88 passed into the slot 88 of the link 58.

The pin 83 pivotally carries at a point between its ends, a lever 18 the front end of which carries a lateral sleeve 1| made of insulation, and the rear end of which lever has a portion 12 which acts as a pawl to engage the notches formed by teeth on a ratchet wheel 13 turnably carried on the wall 51. A spring "connects between the bell crank GI near its pivot 82, and the rear end i of lever 18 to hold said portion 12' toward the ratchet wheel 13. A pull spring 15 connects between the pin 83 and the pivot pin of the trigger 58. This ratchet wheel 13 is turnable from a starting position determined by a boss 18 on the wheel and an abutment pin 11 on the frame 51. A spring is energized when the .wheel leaves this starting position and such power serves to return the wheel to the starting position when it is released. A lever 18 is pivoted intermediate its ends on the wall 51 and has a rear end 18 bent to act as a holding dog for the ratchet wheel teeth. This lever 18 at its rear end passes under a portion of the rear end 12 of the lever 18 so that when end 18 is raised free of the ratchet wheel the part 12' of the lever 18 will also be raised clear of the wheel 13 thus enabling the latter to be restored to the starting position. The front end of the releaser lever 18 is pivotally connected to the core 88 of a releaser coil 8|, which is called the gun reset coil and is mounted on the frame plate 56, as shown in Figure 8.

The ratchet wheel 18 in thedisclosed embodiment of the invention is formed with such a number of teeth 82 as to create ten effective notches for step-up by the pawl 12. Said wheel, after the final notch, has a flat portion 88to prevent the pawl 12 from dropping when rlding said portion 83 for a purpose to be made known. The link 58 at its rear end has an upstanding portion carrying a lateral part 84 made of insulation material. The part 84 is like the part 1I already described. The frame 51 carries a laminated insulation pack, 85 for mounting an upper spring blade 86, a middle spring blade 81 and a lower spring blade 88 (see also Figure 11) these blades forming normally gapped apart contact switches 88 and 88. The barrel of the gun carries an elec tric lamp 8| and light projection lenses 8!.

,7 Generally, it will be nowstated, for the time being, that when the game is-released for use,

the first ten pulls of the trigger 58 through the link 58 and associated mechanism cause the parts TI and 84 to close the respective switches 88 and 88 but because of the action of a control means yet to be described, only the switch 88 is in a hot circuit and consequently the lamp 8| is lighted only from said switch and shots or trigger pulls after said first ten cause the other switch 88 to be in a hot circuit and eil'ective to light the lamp.

The control mechanism causing such alternation in switch operation is shown in Figures 9 and 11, and is referred to herein as a 1 to 10 control unit or commutator. This unit comprises a bracket 88 positionable in any desired place in the cabinet and carries a smaller bracket 84 for mounting an electromagnet coil with the usual core to which is pivotally connected a lever 88 guided at its upper end in a slot 81 in the bracket 84, while its lower end is pivotally connected to a pawl arm 88 pulled by a spring 88 upwardly against a stop pin I88 carried on the bracket 88. The pawl arm 88 engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel I8I fast on a shaft I82 Journaied in the bracket 88, which shaft on the back side of the bracket 88 carries fast thereon a conductor wiper arm I88. The ratchet wheel has enough teeth to provide for ten step-ups, said wheel being returnable by a spring I84 to an initial starting position. The arm I88 wipes over a conductor arc I85 fastened to the back side of the bracket 83, it being understood, of course, that the bracket 88 is made of some suitable non-conductor material. The parts I83, I85 constitute a step-up commutator. A dog I88 is pivotally mounted in a suitable position on the bracket 88 to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel IM and prevent retrograde movement thereof, a spring I81serving to hold the dog I86 toward the wheel. Another sub-bracket I88 carries an electromagnetic coil I88 to cooperate with an armature portion II8 on the lever arm I88 to raise the latter from the wheel IN and free it for return rota,- tion to its initial starting position, said' coil I88 beinp termed the step-up reset. I

An on and off unit is shown in Figures 1 and 11, its purpose being to control the reversibility of the motor 5|. Said unit comprises a bracket II8 positionable in any desired place in the cabinet which bracket carries an electromagnetic coil II2 having a reciprocating core I I8 pivotally connected to a lever II4 mounted between its ends for rocking motion on a transverse shaft II5 fixed on the bracket III. Turnable on said shaft is a ratchet wheel I I8 and also spaced therefrom, a star wheel II", the

latter having half as many points as there are teeth on the ratchet wheel II8 so that a 2 to 1 relationship exists between the teeth on the wheels H8 and H1.

The'lower end of the lever II 4 pivotally carries a pawl II8 pulled to action against the teeth on the wheel II8 by a pull spring II8. A spring pulled pivoted dog I28 prevents retrograde movement of the ratchet wheel II8. A spring blade switch I 2| is proximately positioned to the star wheel I I1, one blade of the said switch engaging the points thereof to separate and open the switch, or, when said one blade seats between the points of the star wheel, the said switch I2I is closed. One step of the ratchet wheel II8 turns the star wheel II1 half a step and as a resultthe switch I2I is alternately opened and closed. One side of the switch I2I is in circuit with the motor 5I and the other side with a reversing relay I22, said relay serving to change the positions of contact arms I23, I24 electrically connectible with the motor field coil I25. In Figure 11, the dotted lines show'the changed positions of the switch arms I23, I24, and their action is to reverse the flow of electric current thro h the field coil I25. It is by such means that the direction of rotation of the motor is changed and consequently there is also changed the direction of travel of the chain 4| for the target can'ier.

A coin released chute I28, of conventional type, is indicated in Figure 11, which as viewed is moved from right to left. Positioned in the path of movement of the chute I28 is the wedge shaped end of thecenter blade I21 01'. a blade contact switch I28 and a blade contact switch I29, the former in the position shown being a closed, and the latter open. Another blade conenergize the relay I33 as Just stated, thereby fs closing a pair of impulse relay switches I35 and I38. The amplifier 32 includes an electromagnetic relay coil I31 responsive to a flash of light acting on the photo-electric "cell 29,- said relay I3'I when energized acting to close a switch I38.

. still looking at Flgurefll it will be seen that the circuit also includes a clock switch I39 in the motor circuit to permit current to flow to the motor for a certain predetermined interval if time.

A one to ten hold-in relay I40 is in circuit with the commutator arc I05 and when energized holds closed three switches I4I, I42 and lfl. These switches regulate flow of current to a right stop relay i443. and a left stop relay I44L, said relays when energized respectively acting to close switches SR. and I45L and also close switches GR and I48L.

The source of energy comprises'a plus line I" and a minus line I48. The description of the details of the organization has now been completed and accordingly there will next be summarized the mode of operation and manner of use.

' The starting positions are shown in Figure 11 where the target carriage rider 54 is centered between the ends 01 the track I8, thus causing the switch 55C to be held open. The coin chute I28 is in its right hand position and as aresult switchesl29 and I30 are open, while switch I23 is closed. To condition the machine for play, the coin chute I28 is moved to the left to break the circuit through switch I28 and make a circuit through the switch I29. Closing of switch I29 conditions a circuit through the gun reset coil 8i and the step-up reset coil 95. Movement of the coin chute I26 to the left will also cause the said chuteto engage and close the switch I30, whereupon current will flow from line I48 through a wire I48 through the switch I30 and into the trigger relay I3I energizing the latter and causing the switch I32 to be moved to its closed position shown in dotted lines. With the switch I32 closed current flows from the condenser I34 in the amplifier 32 into the impulse relay I33 energizing the latter and causing the two impulse relay switches'l35, I38-to be closed.

Current will now flow from the plus side I47 of the line through the switch I35 by way of a conductor, I through the closed switch I28, through the gun reset coil 8|, to operate the lever I8 and cause restoration of, the'ratchet wheel I3 to its initial starting position, said wheel having been stepped during the previous playing of the machine. At the same time the current flows through the step-up reset coil I09 energizing the latter so that dog I08 is moved to free the ratchet wheel IM to enable its restoration to the zero starting position. Return of this ratchet wheel moves the wiper arm I03 back to its starting position on the conductor arc I05. In this manner the commutator I03 is reset at the same time with the gun. With the-arm I03 in starting position on the arc I05 a circuit is completed through the "1 to 10 hold-in relay I40 to energize same. This causes the switches I4I,- I42 and I43 to pull up and close and put the on and oil" coil H2 in circuit through the switch MI, and through :the

I39 was, of course, closed when the coin chute remainclosed until the lapse of a time interval I28 was moved to the left and such switch will fixed in accordance with the approximate time it would take to achieve the maximum number of target hits.

The gun I8 is used to project a beam of light to the'photo-electric cell 29'as indicated in Figures 1 and 11. When the trigger 58 or the gun is pulled back a circuit is completed through'the switch 88, closed by action of link 59 on lever arm I0, said switch 89 allowing current to flow through the trigger relay I3I and thereby pull up on relay switch I32 which'completesa circuit from the condenser I34 through the impulse relay coil I33. Under normal conditions, when the trigger relay I3I is not energized, as when the trigger mechanism is not operated or the switch 89 is in a cold circuit, then current from the amplifier 32 is stored up in the condenser I34. When the relay switch I32 is pulled up as aforesaid by energization of the trigger relay I3I, the current stored in the condenser I34 is released in one jolt into the impulse relay coil- I33, said current from the condenser I 34 being thereafter dissipated and ineiiective. After the coin chute I28 has reset the parts heretofore mentioned and has been retracted to the right, the switch I28 is again closedand switches I 29 and I 30 are open during the playing of the game.

Theimpulse relay switches I35 and I38 are momentarily pulled up by the impulse relay I33 to complete a circuit from the plus side I41 of the line or source of energy through switch I35 and coin chute switch I28 and the gun lamp 9i, the latter sending a beam or flash of light which is directed through the gun barrel I8; the same current flowing through the switch I35 into the on and off relay H2 and by way of a conturns the target image I. about in the manner I heretofore described.

lithe fiaah of light is accurately directed by the player or marksman and it hits the photoelectric cell I l, the relay I31 on the amplifier 32 will be energized and close the relay switch III. A circuit is then made through the switch II. and impulse relay switch I" to the coil as o! the commutator to advance its wiper arm Ill one step along the conductor are I". In practice for scoring hits by means of indicators,

I contact points would be'arranged alongside the arc ,Illiior the wiper I to engage and thus close scoring indicator circuits in any manner open to those skilled in the art.

The marksman must release the trigger II of the gunlin order to allow the lever II to return under, pull or the spring ll. The swing oi the lever' ,Hf clockwisewill cause the extension I2 oi lever arni' "ll to step the ratchet wheel II one stepclockwise. The switch I! remains closed as long as the trigger it is held back and will only-open when the trigger is returned to its normal position. Buch return movement or the trigger will pull the link I! to the right and cause the leit hand end of the slot ill to engage the pin so carried at the upper end oi. the latch 01 and rock the latter clockwise about its pivot out of engagement with the step ll 01 the lever ii. The lever 'OI is now free to rock and by its movement will abut extension I2 the arm I! against the ratchet wheel 13 thereby raising the right hand end of the arm Ill against the pull of the spring I4 and lowering the sleeve II at the opposite end otthe arm and cause opening or the trigger switch ll.

Ai'te'r the tenth pull of the trigger 58, the pawl portion 12 or the lever arm III cannot drop since there are no teeth 82 after number ten on the ratchet wheel ll. At this point the portion I2 rides the fiat suriace 83 and hence the trigger is rendered ineflective to close the switch 88 and the game would normally be over. However, ii

the marksman has achieved a hit each time he shot the first ten shots. the wiper I03 will have traveled oi! the contact IIII, thus deenergizing the 1 to 10 hold-in relay I" to release the switches Ill, I42 and I. Switch Ill cuts oil current to the "on and oil" coll II 2 which is not used after ten shots, and causes current to fiow through a conductor IlIC intothe over ten trigger switch 00. Each time the trigger ll is pulled the iateralb extending arm 84 carried by link I! will bear against the switch 80 to-close contact on said switch and allow current to now to trigger relay III so as to record suchsucceeding hits, if desired, through auxiliary contact buttons associated with the commutator arm I".

Switch I breaks the direct fiow or current from the line through right stop relay coil 4B, but it is sell-held by switch MIR, allowing current to pass through the coil 4R. into th track switch "R and back to the iineby way of a conductor II. The switch I42 breaks the circuit to left stop relay coil INL which is self-held by switch IIIL and track switch "L.

The "on and of!" unit I I1 being out of use, the motor 5| continues to rotate and drive the chain II in a normal manner, the, target 30 turning about only when the carriage I 9 reaches the end of its run on tracks Il, the link ll being pulled over the sprocket wheel 41 and causing a pushlng action on the link 30 to rotate the target about the vertical axis oi the shaft 2| as has been described. In the meantime. as the target so moves, the flash of light from the gun may be directed into the photo-electric cell 2! in rapid fire or machine gun iashionto build up a high score in the nature of an award for having skilfully fired the first ten shots.

When the carriage I! reaches the leit hand end of the track It, the rider ll on said carriage will bear down on the switch Ill... breaking current to the coil 4L, opening the switch "IL and CL. When the carriage I9 reaches the right hand end of the track II the rider ll breaks circuit through the switch "R and coil IMR and cause opening oi the switches-IR. and IR. At this stage, the only thing that allows the continued operation or the motor is the fiow or current from the motor through the switch C at the center of the track I. and through the conductor 55 back to the line. Therefore, when the carriage reaches the center of its run the switch "C is broken and the motor II shuts ofl and'the game is ended with the target centered between the ends oi. the track in position ready for initiation of a succeeding operation or the game.

When the required ten successive hits through switch I! and wiper I are not achieved, it is then that the time clock controlled switch I serves to open the circuit and stop the game, the timing being so arranged that the target will end up in its centered position.

It must now be appreciated that an improved, compact. simple and tool-proof target machine for the purposes stated, has been provided, such machine achieving all of the desirable objects heretofore recited.

It is the intention to cover herein all changes and modifications or the example chosen for purposes of the disclosure. which do not in material respects constitute departures irom the spirit and scope or the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:' I

l. A target shooting apparatus comprising a horizontal track, a carriage movable therealong in either direction, a target, means supporting the target on the carriage for movement therewith and for relative-turning movement, a gun including a trigger and a normally open switch in a first circuit, a reversible electric motor including connections for driving the target along the track, another circuit including the switch and motor, a photo-electric cell in another circult and associated with the target, an "on and oil" unit to cause reversal of the motor and change in direction or travel of the carriage. a step-up commutator in another circuit responsive to closing of the switch and a ray of light rrom the gun hitting the photmcell to operate the "on and oil" unit, step-up control means in the gun whereby the switch can cause operation or the commutator for only a predetermined number of steps and then become inoperative so that thereafter the motor cannot be reversed.

and means to keep the motor running 0: a predetermined time when the commutator is no longer efiective.

2. A target shooting apparatus comprising a horizontal track, a carriage movable therealong in either direction, a target, means supporting the target on the carriage for movement therewith and for relative turning movement, a gun including a trigger and a normally open switch in a first circuit, a reversible electric motor including connections for driving the target alon the track, another circuit including the switch and motor, a photo-electric cell in another circuit associated with the target, an on and 01f" unit to cause reversal of the motor and change in direction of travel of the carriage, a step-up commutator in another circuit responsive to closing of the switch and a ray of light from the gun hitting the photo-cell to operate the on and off unit, step-up control means in the gun whereby the switch can cause operation of the commutator for only a predetermined number of steps and then become inoperative so that thereafter the motor' cannotibe reversed, means to keep the motor running for a certain interval after the commutator is no longer efiective, other normally open switches in still another circuit, a coin chute for closing said latter switches, and electromagnetic means operable when said latter switches are closed to reset the step-up commutator and step-up control means in the gun to initial starting positions.

3. A target shooting apparatus comprising a gun having trigger means to close a switch in a first circuit, a target carriage movable in either direction along a path of movement, a reversible electric motor in another circuit controlled'from the gun switch and the target being connected to be driven by said motor, a target movable with and turnable on the carriage, and means in the gun and first circuit whereby a predetermined number of successive closings of the switch causes the motor to be reversed for each such closing to reverse the travel of the carriage and result in turning the target and to keep the motor running without such reversal after the said number of switch closings to move the carriage back and forth for a certain additional period, and means in another circuit controlled by the travel of the carriage to shut OK the motor at the termination of such period;

4. A targetshooting apparatus comprising a gun having trigger means to close a switch in a first circuit, a target carriage movable in either direction along a path of movement, a reversible electric motor in another circuit controlled by the gun switch and the target being connected to be driven by said motor, a target movable with and turnable on the carriage, a step-up commutator in another circuit, and means controlled by the gun trigger means whereby the motor is reversed when the trigger means is operated while current is passing through the commutator and not being reversible when the commutator is ineffective and current does not pass therethrough, and means to keep the motor running irreversibly for an interval or time after the commutator is ineffective.

5. A light shooting target game including a gun having a lamp and a pair of normally open switches disposed in a circuit with a source or energy, a reversible motor in another circuit, a target including a track having a carriage movable to and fro therealong, means carrying the target on the carriage for turning motion thereon while moving therewith, a photo-electric cell on the carriage and disposed in another circuit,

acidosis means to drive the carriage from the motor and turn the target, trigger mechanism to close the gun switches, means operated by said mechanism to control the switches whereby first one thereof is effective for a predetermined number of shots to light the lamp and thereafter the other switch being effective to light the lamp for the remainder of the game cycle, a step-up commutator in another circuit operable upon closing of the first switch and a ray of light, from the gun hitting the photo-cell, an on and ofi motor control unit in another circuit operable when the first trigger switch closes when hot to reverse the motor and change direction of travel of the carriage and to turn the target every time during the first predetermined number of trigger operations if the commutator passes current, said commutator thereafter cutting out the circuit to the on and oil" motor control from the first switch and en abling the second trigger switch to cause lighting of the lamp, and means operable when the commutator is ineffective to keep the motor operating irreversibly.

6. A light shooting target game embodying a circuit with a source of energy and including a lamp, 'a reversible motor in another circuit and a pair of gun trigger closed switches to light the lamp, means controlled by the trigger to close said switches, a target movable along a. track by the motor and including a photo-cell, an electromagnetically operated step-up commutator in another circuit to cause a first predetermined number of trigger pulls to light the lamp as the result of the closing of one of the switches, motor control means operable at the same time from closing of the first switch to reverse the motor every time said first switch closes while it is in circuit, said commutator when fully stepped up causing the first switch to be in a cold circuit to make ineffective the motor control means and stop reversing of the motor, said second switch thereafter becoming effective in its circuitfor the remaining time the game can be played to light the lamp, and means to keep the motor running irreversibly after the commutator is ineffective.

7. A light shooting target game embodying a circuit with a source of energy and including a lamp, a reversible motor in another circuit and a pair of gun trigger closed switches to light the lamp, means controlled by the trigger to close said switches, a target movable along a track by the motor and including a photo-cell, an electromagnetically operated step-up commutator in another circuit to cause a first predetermined number of trigger pulls to light the lamp as the result of the closing of one of the switches, motor control means operable at the same time from closing of the first switch to reverse the motor every time said first switch closes while it is in circuit, said commutator when fully stepped up causing the first switch to be in a cold circuit to make ineffective the motor control means and stop reversing of the motor, said second switch thereafter becoming effective in the circuit for the remaining time the game can be played to light the lamp, means to keep the motor running irreversibly after the commutator is ineffective, and other means controlled by travel of the target to keep the motor running irreversibly and eventi'ially open its circuit to stop the motor and bring the target to a position of rest.

8. A light shooting targetgame having a traveling target, a reversible motor in a circuit to drive same, a photo-cell in another circuit associated with the target, a gun including a lamp and a pair of switches normally open in another circuit, trigger controlled step-up means in the gun to close said switches, means whereby one of the switches is'hot for a predetermined number of trigger pulls to light the lamp and thereaiter the other switch becomes hot to light the lamp, a motor control unit operable when one switch is closed to alternate direction or rotation or the motor, and a step-up commutator in another circuit operable from either switch when the photo-cell is energized by a beam or light from the gun, said commutator when tully stepped up and not passing current acting to out out the motor contro1 unit and prevent reversing oi the motor thereafter, and means to keep the motor running irreversibly when the commutator is ineflective for a period of time.

9. A light shooting target game having a traveling target, a reversible motor in a circuit to drive same, a photo-cell in another circuit and associated with the target. a gun including a lamp and a pair of switches normally open in another circuit, trigger controlled step-up means in the gun to close said switches, means in said gun circuit whereby one of the switches is hot for a predetermined number 01' trigger pulls to light the lamp and thereafter the other switch becomes hot to light the lamp, a motor control unit operable when one switch is-closed to alternate direction of rotation of the motor, and a step-up commutator operable when the photocell is energized by a beam of light from the gun, said commutator when fully stepped up and not passing current acting to cut out the motor control unit and prevent reversing of the motor thereafter, means controlled by the travel of the target to keep the motor running irreversibly,

for a while when the commutator is ineffective, and time controlled means to open the motor circuit and stop the motor and target in the event the commutator is still efiective.

10. A light shooting target game having a traveling target, a reversible motor in a circuit to drive same, a photo-cell in another circuit and associated with the target, a gun including a lamp and a pair of switches normally open in another circuit, trigger controlled step-up means in the gun to close said switches, means whereby one of the switches is hot for a predetermined number of trigger pulls to light the lamp and thereafter the other switch becomes hot to light the lamp, a motor control unit operable when one switch is closed to alternate direction of rotation 01' the motor, and a step-up commutator operable from either switch when the photo-cell is energized by a beam of light from the gun, said commutator when fully stepped up and not passing current acting to cut out the motor control unit and prevent reversing of the motor thereafter, means to keep the motor running for a while when the second switch is hot either with the commutator eiIective or ineffective to pass current; and manually controlled switches in another circuit operative after the motor has been stopped and a new game cycle is to be initiated to reset the trigger step-up means and step-up commutator to initial starting positions.

DONALD E. HOOKER. CHARLES T. BREI'I'ENS'I'EIN. NELS A. NELSON. 

